If I didn’t experience it in 1977, you definitely won’t have it today.
My kids think there’s no era worse than the 1970s. Whenever my partner, Tom, and I share stories about our childhoods, their expressions range from confusion to sympathy, but mostly, I see a sense of relief that they will never live in that world. When they question our participation in what now seem like mundane activities, they chime in unison with, “because there was nothing else to do.”
Despite their playful sarcasm about my upbringing, I have generally wonderful children. However, like all kids, they sometimes need consequences for their actions. I’ve found that the ultimate punishment for them is to send them back to the 1970s.
In our household, the ’70s serve as the ultimate disciplinary tool, a punishment reserved for significant infractions, and it doesn’t take much time for them to understand the gravity of their actions.
While some parents might shy away from punishment, I firmly believe in its necessity. Discussions about misbehavior, reasoning, and perspective are all valid approaches, and I wholeheartedly agree with them. Nevertheless, there are moments when children cannot be reasoned with, and a temporary separation can be beneficial for both parties. As they grow and encounter the real world, they will face consequences for their actions, and I see it as my duty to instill that understanding at home.
If your kids are anything like mine, they already know when they’ve done something wrong and why. They understand the rules we’ve set, yet in a moment of impulse, they may choose to disregard them. I recognize that choice; I was a child once too, and while I hoped I wouldn’t get caught, discipline is essential. After trying conversations and various forms of punishment, I’ve discovered that consequences yield the most effective results.
The idea of sending my children back in time as a form of punishment arose when I realized that traditional methods weren’t capturing their attention. Initially, I resorted to “Go to the corner!” This method harkened back to my own elementary school days when teachers used it for excessive talking. I was a regular in the corner, facing the wall, and often, all corners of the classroom were occupied. However, when I sent my kids to the corner, they’d just lie on the floor, daydreaming or flipping through a book. Clearly, I needed a more impactful approach.
As they grew older, I tried “Go to your room!” But with cell phones, laptops, and an abundance of toys, their rooms weren’t the dreaded spaces I envisioned. When I would call out, “You can come out now!” I’d hear, “That’s okay, Mom, I think I’ll stay here!”
Then, I unveiled my ultimate weapon: “You are grounded!” Unfortunately, in a world filled with communication devices, being grounded didn’t hold the same weight it once did. Kids today seem to appreciate their homes and parents more than we did, and being confined with us was more of a minor nuisance than a true punishment.
My attempts to establish meaningful consequences finally shifted when my youngest son remarked, “I would hate to have been a kid back then.” That revelation was enlightening.
I’m not a fan of surprise punishments, as children should find stability in their home environment. Therefore, I clearly communicated our family’s major rules: if you lie, exhibit cruel behavior, disrespect others, or get into a car with an inexperienced driver, you will be sent back to the ’70s.
If I didn’t have it in 1977, you won’t have it in 2015. Feel free to enjoy network television and landline telephones—those relics you never touch. While we had a microwave oven back then, I’m certain Bagel Bites and Hot Pockets weren’t yet around; perhaps an apple would suffice.
Here are just a few of the items that will be off-limits: cell phones, computers, DVDs, GPS (you’ll need to use a map), iPods, Xbox, iPads, Kindles, Netflix, HBO, cable TV, and the real kicker in our household: ESPN. Yes, boys, sports were only on network channels, and games were broadcasted infrequently.
I do make exceptions for technology that enhances safety, such as airbags and anti-lock brakes—parental judgment applies here. My children have not enjoyed their “trips” back in time. While many kids fantasize about time travel, my kids dread it. Yet, in our family, this imaginative consequence has proven to be the most effective form of discipline.
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In summary, creative consequences can be an effective way to teach children about responsibility and the impact of their choices. By invoking the 1970s as a disciplinary tool, I’ve found a method that resonates with my kids and encourages better behavior in a fun yet impactful way.
Keyphrase: Consequences for kids
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